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DIY: Merbird feather mobile

I can’t get summer out of my mind. During summer, time seems to slow down and colors seem brighter. My fondest summer memories involve beach trips with family and friends and a great beach read, or maybe a notebook for capturing doodles and musings.

Here’s a very easy mobile I made to help me bring a little summer to our house. Each time I see it, I am reminded of my favorite season, and the wait doesn’t seem so long. I used summery colors like melon, yellow, blue, gold and pink and used washi tapes with animal and nature prints.

I made what I call “merbird feathers” but you can make any shape you fancy: hearts or animal silhouettes or hipster triangles, heh.

2. Cut the string to your desired length and tie a knot. This will serve as the mobile handle.

3. Draw shapes in the paper, and then cut accordingly. Cover the shapes with washi tape. I did it diagonally. I suppose to mimic feathers I could cut them to a chevron pattern in the future.

4. Here’s how mine looked like in the front:

5. Here’s the back part. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, I personally like the random pattern at the back:

6. When you’ve finished cutting and washi taping all your shapes, it’s now time to position them on the paper straw. Cut string to desired length, and attach to the shapes using washi tape as well. For my merbird feathers, I’ve snipped off some edges to make it more feather-like in appearance.

7. Get the other end of the string, attach it to the paper straw base using a knot, and secure it with washi tape. You can also add a dab of glue if you want. Do this to all your shapes, and you’re done! Easy peasy.

Here is a closer look at the merbird feathers I have hanging on my summery mobile. 🙂 I have it hanging in our room, but you can also make mobiles for your doors, your office cube, or all the nooks and crannies in your home that need a bit of extra whimsy. Have fun!

I was a guest poster at Hey Kessy’s blog! Click here for my tutorial on how to embellish your artworks with washi tape. Thanks for having me, Hey Kessy!

Also, thank you to Meream of boredandcrafty for featuring me in her lovely and creative blog. Check it out here. 🙂